Tag: golf

The R&A launch ticket ballot to The 150th Open

The R&A has announced the countdown to The 150th Open which kicks off with the launch of a special commemorative brand and the introduction of a ticket ballot to ensure the most equitable ticket sales process possible.

First played in 1860, The Open has been graced by golf’s greatest champions including Tom Morris, the grandfather of golf, Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods, and will mark its 150th playing with a true celebration of the sport at the Home of Golf from 10-17 July 2022.

With the extremely high levels of demand to attend this historic championship, the introduction of a ballot for tickets is deemed the fairest and most equitable way of ensuring golf fans from around the world have the chance to secure their place at the world-renowned Old Course next July. Hospitality for the event has been on sale since last year, with 85% of packages already sold.

The ticket ballot will run from Thursday, 1 July 2021 to Monday, 4 October 2021 giving as many fans as possible the opportunity to register for tickets.

A balance of allocations will ensure every generation of fan, from all over the world, as well as throughout the UK and the local area, will be able to attend the celebrations in St Andrews next July.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “This is a momentous occasion for golf as well as The Open and one which sports fans everywhere are looking forward to enormously. The 150th Open will give fans the opportunity to be part of a unique and unparalleled celebration at the birthplace of the game in St Andrews.

“We expect exceptional demand to be part of these celebrations and the ballot will give as many fans as possible the chance to secure a ticket and be part of history being made at one of the world’s most revered and renowned sporting events.”

The new 150th commemorative brand will be displayed across a campaign of content and activations that will run throughout the next 14 months until the conclusion of next year’s Championship at St Andrews. The focus of the campaign will be the remarkable journey of The Open and its enduring impact on players, fans and the sport of golf itself since it was first staged back in 1860.

The 150th logo is made up of individual threads that each represent the millions of journeys connected to the Championship.

From the greats of the game, to the hundreds of millions of golfers who have played the game since 1860, to the vast array of championships that take place in the global golfing calendar, the journey of our sport is intimately linked to the pioneers who started The Open to identify the Champion Golfer of the Year more than a century-and-a-half ago.

The threads will be prominently used in imagery throughout the build-up to The 150th Open, emphasising the campaign’s central message that ‘everything has led to this’ as we count down to what promises to be a truly unforgettable occasion.

Ticket prices for The 150th Open will be £95 for an adult on Championship days and will range from £20 to £50 on practice days.

The R&A is fully committed to encouraging more children and young people to attend The Open and free tickets will be available to children through the successful and long-running “Kids go Free” programme, while half-price youth tickets are available for 16-24 year-olds. In order to give as many people as possible the chance to attend the Championship, weekly tickets are being discontinued.

The ticket ballot will be available exclusively to members of The One Club, the free-to-join membership programme.

ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – JULY 1978: Jack Nicklaus of the United States looks on following his victory during The 107th Open Championship held on the Old Course at St Andrews, from July 12-15,1978 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by R&A via Getty Images)

Fans can sign up to The One Club any time at www.TheOpen.com and will be among the first to be notified when the ballot is open.

Origins Hospitality, a range of fully inclusive experiences, is available to purchase now and is the only way fans can guarantee their place at the Championship.

Visit www.TheOpen.com/hospitality2022 for further information.

Sanitising Your Golf Equipment

As lockdown measures ease, more golfers are preparing to get back out on the course – but it is essential that care is still taken before teeing off. Not only should we continue to observe social distancing but making sure golf clubs and equipment are cleaned to prevent the spreading of germs is vital.

Eager to help prevent spreading of the Covid-19 virus, experts at GolfSupport.com have provided tips on the best ways to clean golf equipment:

1. Golf club heads

After a long day at the course, your golf clubs are bound to collect dirt and debris. Follow these simple steps to keep them sparkling and germ-free:

  1. Add 2-3 teaspoons of dishwasher liquid or soap to a bucket of warm water (enough to cover the club heads). Ensure it isn’t hot, as this may loosen the club head from the shaft.
  2. Submerge dirty club heads into the water for 5-10 minutes to loosen any dirt.
  3. Remove each club one-by-one and use an old toothbrush or soft-bristle brush to scrub away any stubborn dirt, ensuring you catch the back, front, bottom and each individual groove.
  4. Run the cleaned club heads under water to wash away any remnants, avoiding getting the shaft and grips wet.
  5. Dry with a towel. Ensure nothing is left damp as this is when rust can develop.
  6. To give club heads an extra shine, gently rub in steel or chrome polish in circular motions and leave for a minute. Then ensure you remove all the polish – any remaining grease could negatively affect your game!

2. Golf club shafts
Golf club shafts can also be prone to dirt. To remove dirt, use a damp cloth and clear any grime from the shaft, drying it thoroughly with a towel afterwards.

If your club becomes rusty: 

According to a study by End of Tenancy London, vinegar comes out on top for the best multi-use disinfectant. So why not utilise it for your golf clubs too? Apply a little vinegar on the shaft with a cloth and gently remove any residue, ensuring you don’t scratch it. Finish by drying thoroughly.

3. Golf club grips

Golf grips are the most touched area of the club and can easily get dirty/worn from sweat, so they require regular cleaning.

Clean golf club grips after each session by using a damp cloth to wipe the entire grip’s surface, ensuring it isn’t too hot as this could damage it.

4. Golf balls

During a typical 18-hole round, golf balls are battered, beaten and subjected to all the elements. Not to mention the hundreds of tiny dimples that are experts at finding dirt.

Dirty golf balls can affect your game more than you’d think! Add soap, dishwasher liquid or our trusty friend vinegar (for a deeper clean) to a bucket of warm water and soak the balls for 15-20 minutes. If necessary, use a sponge and/or toothbrush to remove dirt that won’t budge. Don’t forget to dry them fully with a towel.

5. Golf bags and club head covers

Whilst unconfirmed and still a matter of debate, the coronavirus could live on clothing and canvas materials for up to two days. Remove this risk by cleaning your golf bags and club head covers as follows:

  1. Remove all contents from the bag/clubs from their covers.
  2. Depending on the material, lightly spray water all over the surfaces.
  3. Using a soap and warm water solution, scrub the bag and covers clean with a cloth. Be careful not to scrub too hard – you may damage the material.
  4. Use a hose to rinse/run them under clean water and assess for any further stains.
  5. Remove any stubborn stains by spraying with a stain remover, then allow them to rest. Gently scrub it if required.
  6. Once clean, allow the bag/covers to dry overnight – avoid leaving them to dry in the sun as this can discolour them.



6. Golf clothing

To clean dirty golf clothing, simply run them through the washing machine after each session. However, for clothes that smell or are particularly dirty, consider:

  • Avoiding using fabric softeners – they stop the odours and sweat from being washed out, in fact locking in the smell for your next practice.
  • Adding baking soda to laundry – one cup per wash deodorises and softens clothes.

We hope these tips on cleaning golf equipment can help avid golfers enjoy the wonderful sport whilst preventing the spread of coronavirus!

https://www.golfsupport.com/

Love Golf? It pays to play

** Unlimited monthly winter-golf for just £22.50 per month **

For die hard golf fans or even those new to the game who want to keep in the swing of it during the winter, Edinburgh Leisure’s winter golf membership could be just the deal.

It pays to play, with the membership costing just £22.50 per month, compared up to £27.50 that you would pay as a pay-as-you-go customer. So buying a winter golf membership and playing more than once, will mean a saving worth having.

Ken Harvey, Head of Operations at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Golf at Edinburgh Leisure has experienced a resurgence after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted at the beginning of June and it’s been great to see regulars back on our fairways and also new players taking up the game or players returning to the game after dusting off their clubs.

“With minimal use of winter greens and no mats, it’s the ideal opportunity to keep your golf on par until the summer returns.  The beauty of Edinburgh Leisure’s winter golf membership is that you won’t have to rely on playing just one course.

“Our membership gives you the flexibility and variety to experience up to six different courses in unique locations across the city. So wrap up warm, fill your thermos, grab your clubs and improve your game and your mental health with a round of golf!  In fact, playing just once a month, will see your membership pay for itself.”

The winter pass is valid from 1 October 2020 – 31 March 2021 and allows access to Edinburgh Leisure’s six golf courses*.

Edinburgh Leisure’s 18-hole courses include Braid Hills, Carrick Knowe, Craigentinny, and Silverknowes.  For a quicker challenge, Edinburgh Leisure also have two popular 9-hole courses – Portobello and the Wee Braids.

From December to February, the Wee Braids closes and some of its holes are incorporated into the main Braid Hills course.

Payable monthly by direct debit until March 2021, different membership options are available including access to all the courses, seven days-a-week, and a five-day membership with access to all courses, Monday to Friday. 

The membership also gives 20% off other Edinburgh Leisure activities including the gym, swimming, racquet sports and climbing, at the various Edinburgh Leisure venues across the city – so it pays to play. 

Edinburgh Leisure has introduced rules and measures to ensure golfers can play in an environment that is safe for both customers and staff. 

Some things have changed but customers will still be guaranteed the warm Edinburgh Leisure welcome:

  • It is now necessary for all tee times to be booked and paid for in advance. Customers can no longer turn up to play.
  • Each player must be played for separately. The booking system lets the golfer and any guests to pay separately for their round.
  • Edinburgh Leisure members and cardholders can book a tee time from 9 pm, 8 days in advance. Non-members can still book a tee-time but will need to create an account with Edinburgh Leisure before they can book.  They will then be able to book from 9 pm, 7 days in advance. 
  • Under the current guidelines, only four-balls social golf can be played.
  • No changing rooms will be available so golfers are advised to change into their shoes and any outdoor wear whilst at their car and then proceed straight to the starters’ office/area.
  • Golf guidelines and terms and conditions can be found on the Edinburgh Leisure website – https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/golf-covid-guidelines

The Golf Membership is available to buy online only –
https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/winter-golf-membership

Spectators take a healthy interest in Scottish Open golf

This year’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open reaches it’s final round climax today and, with plenty of players still in with a chance, it’s been an exciting four days for over 50,000 fans.

The Rolex Series event, at The Renaissance Club North Berwick, has seen some wonderful golf and blistering scores – and for those spectators following their favourite player there is also the added bonus that they can boost their health!   Continue reading Spectators take a healthy interest in Scottish Open golf

Scotland’s Golf Coast’s answer to the changing face of golf: 9L9

Golf enthusiasts are in for a treat this Winter, with a change to the way we play golf in East Lothian. Haddington Golf Club, a long established parkland course in East Lothian, is attempting to adapt to the changing face of golf. Continue reading Scotland’s Golf Coast’s answer to the changing face of golf: 9L9

Love golf? Keep in the swing this winter

Unlimited monthly winter-golf for just £21 per month

For diehard golf fans, who want to keep in the swing of it, even during the winter months, buying Edinburgh Leisure’s ‘winter golf membership’ just got easier and can now be bought online for the first time. With minimal use of winter greens and no mats, it’s the ideal opportunity to keep your golf on par until the summer returns. Continue reading Love golf? Keep in the swing this winter